A dominant defensive performance and a milestone night for a veteran forward defined the Greyhounds’ game on Saturday, overshadowing the return of a former first-round pick.
Goaltender Carter George stopped all 16 shots he faced to record his third shutout of the season as the Soo Greyhounds defeated the North Bay Battalion 3-0 at the GFL Memorial Gardens.
The victory pushed the Greyhounds’ winning streak to seven games, improving their record to 28-14-1-1.
Although the game featured the first appearance in Sault Ste. Marie for North Bay forward Ryder Cali—who was drafted 18th overall by the Greyhounds in 2024 before moving to the Battalion—the home side allowed him and his teammates little space.
According to SooToday, the Greyhounds outshot the Battalion 27-16, including a 9-1 margin in the first period.
Greyhounds head coach John Dean described the effort as a complete game, noting the team effectively eliminated rush chances against. He specifically highlighted the second period, where the Greyhounds penetrated the offensive zone and maintained a strong forecheck.
Breaking the deadlock
After a scoreless first period, the Greyhounds’ offence connected midway through the second.
Jordan Charron opened the scoring at 9:30, redirecting a Christopher Brown pass past North Bay netminder Jack Lisson. Less than a minute later, overager Justin Cloutier buried a one-timer from the slot to extend the lead to 2-0.
For Cloutier, the goal represented a significant milestone. As reported by The Sault Star, it was his first goal of the season in just his second game back; the forward played four games with the NCAA’s Arizona State Sun Devils earlier this year before an E. coli infection sidelined him. Cloutier expressed relief at finally finding the back of the net after the long drought.
The Greyhounds appeared to add a third goal late in the second via Jeremy Martin, but officials waved it off following a video review for a high stick. Travis Hayes eventually secured the win with an empty-net goal in the final seconds of regulation.
The George Factor
Carter George has been dominant since joining the Greyhounds. The Sault Star reports the goaltender now holds a 5-0 record, a 1.00 goals-against average, and a .955 save percentage with his new club.
While the low shot volume meant he did not need to make spectacular saves, his puck-handling neutralized North Bay’s forecheck.
Battalion coach Ryan Oulahen noted the difficulty of playing against George, comparing the goaltender to a third defenceman due to his ability to move the puck. Oulahen admitted his squad lacked offensive energy and struggled to generate their usual pressure. Lisson made 24 saves in the loss for North Bay, who fell to 24-18-2-0.
Defensive dominance and Cali-subplot
The low shot count resulted from a deliberate strategy. Dean explained that the team aims to defend only half the ice, using puck possession to limit the time spent in their own zone.
Defenceman Harris Pangretitsch, recently ranked No. 152 in NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings, received specific praise from the coaching staff. Dean cited Pangretitsch’s strong decision-making and his ability to stop plays at the red line as key factors in the defensive success.
The game provided the backdrop for Cali’s return. Now a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, Cali verbally committed to Harvard after attending the Greyhounds’ development camp in 2024, prompting the Greyhounds to trade his rights to North Bay.
According to The Sault Star, Cali has recorded 11 goals and five assists in 27 games for the Battalion. However, the Greyhounds focused on the standings rather than the narrative surrounding the former prospect.
Playoff “Chase”
The win keeps the Greyhounds in contention for the top spot in the West Division. They currently trail the co-leading Windsor Spitfires and Flint Firebirds by eight points but hold games in hand on both clubs.
The two teams conclude their weekend set with a rematch on Sunday afternoon. Dean anticipates a motivated opponent, noting that the losing team in a doubleheader is typically eager to adjust tactics. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the Greyhounds’ consistency and focusing on the bigger picture.